The Sheepdogs

Canadian rockers, The Sheepdogs, might've jumped on everyone's radars just last year with their Rolling Stone cover contest win, but they're definitely poised to make many more covers soon. The Saskatoon rockers are back with their new self-titled album, following up 2010's Learn & Burn and it's loud and clear: these guys are soon-to-be full-fledge rock stars. The album was produced by The Black Keys' Patrick Carney and Austin Scaggs. On this new album, the band has successfully expanded their sound while refining their strengths. A melting pot of blues, rock, and country, The Sheepdogs are pulling in various forms of rock and carving out their own brand of modern-day rock 'n' roll.

At times, songs veer off into Black Keys territory, such as the stomping rhythms and guitar tones on lead single, "Feeling Good," but that's where the comparisons end. The Sheepdogs' tracks are colored with more variety in sound and genre as well as a strong set of harmonies to back each song, turning them into summer festival sing-alongs, circa the 1970s. And that's where the band's real strength is - in creating something that's nostalgic yet new - just covering all the bases, those guys!

The band's members include Ewan Currie on vocals and guitar, Leot Hanson on guitar, Ryan Gullen on bass and Sam Corbett on drums. After touring steadily since 2006 and spending the last year entirely on the road with bands like Kings Of Leon, John Fogerty and Robert Randolph & The Family Band, The Sheepdogs hoped to create songs that would lend themselves to their impassioned performances. The band, which has also performed at numerous festivals, including Coachella, Bonnaroo and SXSW, enlisted a keyboard player as the new album features a heavy dose of Hammond organ and Rhodes piano. In the end it all ties back to the group's goals, which essentially involve making really good rock songs, and you don't need a crazy origin story to do that.

"Our goal is two-fold," Currie says. "We want to make killer albums that people really want to listen to, but we also want to have a really reputable live show. When we come through town we want to be the hottest ticket there. Those two elements are what make a truly great rock and roll band. Really, though, we just want to play to anyone who is willing to give us a shot and who wants to have a good time."

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